3rdnlng Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) http://www.weather.c...orries-20131231 CASSELTON, N.D. -- A shift in the weather could heighten the risk of potential health hazards after a mile-long train carrying crude oil derailed in North Dakota and set off explosions, authorities said, urging residents of a nearby town evacuate. (MORE: Snowstorm to Hit Plains, Upper Midwest) About 2,400 people live in Casselton, about a mile from Monday's fiery derailment. The Cass County Sheriff's Office called on residents there and those living five miles to the south and east to leave their homes because of the weather shift, which it said the National Weather Service was forecasting. "Winds near the ground are shifting a little bit, but just above the ground the wind will be consistently blowing from the northwest through at least Thursday," said weather.com meteorologist Nick Wiltgen. "That would push the smoke plume from the fire over or very close to Casselton." It's cold even by North Dakota standards," said Wiltgen. "We're expecting the Casselton area to stay below zero day and night until sometime Friday." No one was hurt, and the cause was still being investigated. Sheriff's officials said that the evacuation unfolded in calm and orderly fashion in recent hours, with the majority of nearby residents heeding a strong recommendation by authoriites to leave. The derailment happened amid heightened concerns about the United States' increased reliance on rail to carry crude oil. Fears of catastrophic derailments were particularly stoked after last summer's crash in Quebec of a train carrying crude from North Dakota's Bakken oil patch. Forty-seven people died in the ensuing fire. Edited December 31, 2013 by 3rdnlng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koko78 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 They absolutely are an environmental hazard. They might potentially leak or by struck by alien death rays. What we need to do is build more high speed rails to carry stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalin Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 What we need to do is build more high speed rails to carry stuff. or send sunlight via pipeline to readily increase our ability to generate solar power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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